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Title: The Description of a New World, Called The Blazing-World
Author: Margaret Cavendish
Release Date: April 18, 2016 [EBook #51783]
Language: English
Character set encoding: UTF-8
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DESCRIPTION OF A NEW WORLD ***
Produced by Marc D'Hooghe at http://www.freeliterature.org
THE
DESCRIPTION
OF A NEW
WORLD
CALLED
The Blazing-World.
WRITTEN
By The Thrice Noble, Illustrious, and Excellent
PRINCESSE
THE
Duchess of Newcastle
Printed by A. Maxwell, in the Year M.DC.LX.VIII.
Contents
To The Duchesse of Newcastle, On Her New Blazing-World.
To all Noble and Worthy Ladies.
The Description of a New World, Called The Blazing-World.
The Second Part of the Description of the New Blazing-World.
The Epilogue to the Reader.
Here on this Figure Cast a Glance.
But so as if it were by Chance,
Your eyes not fixt, they must not Stay,
Since this like Shadowes to the Day
It only represent's; for Still,
Her Beauty's found beyond the Skill
Of the best Paynter, to Imbrace
These lovely Lines within her face.
View her Soul's Picture, Judgment, witt,
Then read those Lines which Shee hath writt,
By Phancy's Pencill drawne alone
Which Peces but Shee, can justly owne.
To The Duchesse of Newcastle, On Her New Blazing-World.
Our Elder World, with all their Skill and Arts,
Could but divide the World into three Parts:
Columbus, then for Navigation fam'd,
Found a new World, America 'tis nam'd;
Now this new World was found, it was not made,
Onely discovered, lying in Time's shade.
Then what are You, having no Chaos found
To make a World, or any such least ground?
But your Creating Fancy, thought it fit
To make your World of Nothing, but pure Wit.
Your Blazing-World, beyond the Stars mounts higher,
Enlightens all with a Cœlestial Fier.
William Newcastle.
To all Noble and Worthy Ladies.
This present Description of a New World, was made as an Appendix to my Observations upon Experimental
Philosophy; and, having some Sympathy and Coherence with each other, were joyned together as Two several
Worlds, at their Two Poles. But, by reason most Ladies take no delight in Philosophical Arguments, I separated some
from the mentioned Observations, and caused them to go out by themselves, that I might express my Respects, in
presenting to Them such Fancies as my Contemplations did afford. The First Part is Romancical; the Second,
Philosophical; and the Third is meerly Fancy; or (as I may call it) Fantastical. And if (Noble Ladies) you should chance
to take pleasure in reading these Fancies, I shall account my self a Happy Creatoress: If not, I must be content to live a
Melancholly Life in my own World; which I cannot call a Poor World, if Poverty be only want of Gold, and Jewels: for,
there is more Gold in it, than all the Chymists ever made; or, (as I verily believe) will ever be able to make. As for the
Rocks of Diamonds, I wish, with all my Soul, they might be shared amongst my Noble Female Friends; upon which
condition, I would willingly quit my Part: And of the Gold, I should desire only so much as might suffice to repair my
Noble Lord and Husband's Losses: for, I am not Covetous, but as Ambitious as ever any of my Sex was, is, or can be;
which is the cause, That though I cannot be Henry the Fifth, or Charles the Second; yet, I will endeavour to be,
Margaret the First: and, though I have neither Power, Time nor Occasion, to be a great Conqueror, like Alexander, or
Cesar; yet, rather than not be Mistress of a World, since Fortune and the Fates would give me none, I have made One
of my own. And thus, believing, or, at least, hoping, that no Creature can, or will, Envy me for this World of mine, I
remain,
Noble Ladies, Your Humble Servant, M. Newcastle.
The Description of a New World, Called The Blazing-World.
A Merchant travelling into a foreign Country, fell extreamly in Love with a young Lady; but being a stranger in that
Nation, and beneath her, both in Birth and Wealth, he could have but little hopes of obtaining his desire; however his
Love growing more and more vehement upon him, even to the slighting of all difficulties, he resolved at last to Steal her
away; which he had the better opportunity to do, because her Father's house was not far from the Sea, and she often
using to gather shells upon the shore accompanied not with above two to three of her servants it encouraged him the
more to execute his design. Thus coming one time with a little leight Vessel, not unlike a Packet-boat, mann'd with some
few Sea-men, and well victualled, for fear of some accidents, which might perhaps retard their journey, to the place
where she used to repair; he forced her away: But when he fancied himself the happiest man of the World, he proved to
be the most unfortunate; for Heaven frowning at his Theft, raised such a Tempest, as they knew not what to do, or
whither to steer their course; so that the Vessel, both by its own leightness, and the violent motion of the Wind, was
carried as swift as an Arrow out of a Bow, towards the North-pole, and in a short time reached the Icy Sea, where the
wind forced it amongst huge pieces of Ice; but being little, and leight, it did by the assistance and favour of the gods to
this virtuous Lady, so turn and wind through those precipices, as if it had been guided by some experienced Pilot, and
skilful Mariner: But alas! Those few men which were in it, not knowing whither they went, nor what was to be done in
so strange an Adventure, and not being provided for so cold a Voyage, were all frozen to death; the young Lady onely,
by the light of her Beauty, the heat of her Youth, and Protection of the Gods, remaining alive: Neither was it a wonder
that the men did freeze to death; for they were not onely driven to the very end or point of the Pole of that World, but
even to another Pole of another World, which joined close to it; so that the cold having a double strength at the
conjunction of those two Poles, was insupportable: At last, the Boat still passing on, was forced into another World; for
it is impossible to round this Worlds Globe from Pole to Pole, so as we do from East to West; because the Poles of the
other World, joining to the Poles of this, do not allow any further passage to surround the World that way; but if any
one arrives to either of these Poles, he is either forced to return, or to enter into another World: and lest you should
scruple at it, and think, if it were thus, those that live at the Poles would either see two Suns at one time, or else they
would never want the Sun's light for six months together, as it is commonly believed: You must know, that each of these
Worlds having its own Sun to enlighten it, they move each one in their peculiar Circles; which motion is so just and
exact, that neither can hinder or obstruct the other; for they do not exceed their Tropicks: and although they should
meet, yet we in this World cannot so well perceive them, by reason of the brightness of our Sun, which being nearer to
us, obstructs the splendor of the Sun of the other World, they being too far off to be discerned by our optick
perception, except we use very good Telescopes; by which, skilful Astronomers have often observed two or three Suns
at once. But to return to the wandering Boat, and the distressed Lady; she seeing all the Men dead, found small comfort
in life; their Bodies which were preserved all that while from putrefaction and stench, by the extremity of cold, began
now to thaw, and corrupt; whereupon she having not strength enough to fling them over-board, was forced to remove
out of her small Cabine, upon the deck, to avoid the nauseous smell; and finding the Boat swim between two plains of
Ice, as a stream that runs betwixt two shores, at last perceived land, but covered all with Snow: from which came,
walking upon the Ice, strange Creatures, in shape like Bears, only they went upright as men; those Creatures coming
near the Boat, catched hold of it with their Paws, that served them instead of hands; some two or three of them entred
first; and when they came out, the rest went in one after another; at last having viewed and observed all that was in the
Boat, they spake to each other in a language which the Lady did not understand; and having carried her out of the Boat,
sunk it, together with the dead men.
The Lady now finding her self in so strange a place, and amongst such wonderful kind of Creatures, was extreamly
strucken with fear, and could entertain no other Thoughts, but that every moment her life was to be a sacrifice to their
cruelty; but those Bear-like Creatures, how terrible soever they appear'd to her sight, yet were they so far from
exercising any cruelty upon her, that rather they shewed her all civility and kindness imaginable; for she being not able to
go upon the Ice, by reason of its slipperiness, they took her up in their rough arms, and carried her into their City, where
instead of Houses, they had Caves under ground; and as soon as they enter'd the City, both Males and Females, young
and old, flockt together to see this Lady, holding up their Paws in admiration; at last having brought her into a certain
large and spacious Cave, which they intended for her reception, they left her to the custody of the Females, who
entertained her with all kindness and respect, and gave her such victuals as they used to eat; but seeing her Constitution
neither agreed with the temper of that Climate, nor their Diet, they were resolved to carry her into another Island of a
warmer temper; in which were men like Foxes, onely walking in an upright shape, who received their neighbours the
Bear-men with great civility and Courtship, very much admiring this beauteous Lady; and having discoursed some while
together, agreed at last to make her a Present to the Emperor of their World; to which end, after she had made some
short stay in the same place, they brought her cross that Island to a large River, whose stream run smooth and clear,
like Chrystal; in which were numerous Boats, much like our Fox-traps; in one whereof she was carried, some of the
Bear- and Fox-men waiting on her; and as soon as they had crossed the River, they came into an Island where there
were Men which had heads, beaks and feathers, like wild-Geese, onely they went in an upright shape, like the Bear-
men and Fox-men: their rumps they carried between their legs, their wings were of the same length with their Bodies,
and their tails of an indifferent size, trailing after them like a Ladie's Garment; and after the Bear- and Fox-men had
declared their intention and design to their Neighbours, the Geese- or Bird-men, some of them joined to the rest, and
attended the Lady through that Island, till they came to another great and large River, where there was a preparation
made of many Boats, much like Birds nests, onely of a bigger size; and having crost that River, they arrived into another
Island, which was of a pleasant and mild temper, full of Woods and the Inhabitants thereof were Satyrs, who received
both the Bear- Fox- and Bird men, with all respect and civility; and after some conferences (for they all understood
each others language) some chief of the Satyrs joining to them, accompanied the Lady out of that Island to another
River, wherein were many handsome and commodious Barges; and having crost that River, they entered into a large
and spacious Kingdom, the men whereof were of a Grass-Green Complexion, who entertained them very kindly, and
provided all conveniences for their further voyage: hitherto they had onely crost Rivers, but now they could not avoid
the open Seas any longer; wherefore they made their Ships and tacklings ready to sail over into the Island, where the
Emperor of the Blazing- world (for so it was call'd) kept his residence. Very good Navigators they were; and though
they had no knowledg of the Load-stone, or Needle or pendulous Watches, yet (which was as serviceable to them)
they had subtile observations, and great practice; in so much that they could not onely tell the depth of the Sea in every
place, but where there were shelves of Sand, Rocks, and other obstructions to be avoided by skilful and experienced
Sea-men: Besides, they were excellent Augurers, which skill they counted more necessary and beneficial then the use of
Compasses, Cards, Watches, and the like; but, above the rest, they had an extraordinary Art, much to be taken notice
of by Experimental Philosophers, and that was a certain Engin, which would draw in a great quantity of Air, and shoot
forth Wind with a great force; this Engine in a calm, they placed behind their Ships, and in a storm, before; for it served
against the raging waves, like Cannons against an hostile Army, or besieged Town; it would batter and beat the waves
in pieces, were they as high as Steeples; and as soon as a breach was made, they forced their passage through, in spight
even of the most furious wind, using two of those Engins at every Ship, one before, to beat off the waves, and another
behind to drive it on; so that the artificial wind had the better of the natural; for, it had a greater advantage of the waves,
then the natural of the Ships: the natural being above the face of the Water, could not without a down right motion enter
or press into the Ships; whereas the artificial with a sideward-motion, did pierce into the bowels of the Waves:
Moreover, it is to be observed, that in a great Tempest they would join their Ships in battel-aray: and when they feared
Wind and Waves would be too strong for them, if they divided their Ships; they joined as many together as the
compass or advantage of the places of the Liquid Element would give them leave. For, their Ships were so ingeniously
contrived, that they could fasten them together as close as a Honey-comb, without waste of place; and being thus
united, no Wind nor Waves were able to separate them. The Emperor's Ships, were all of Gold; but the Merchants and
Skippers, of Leather; the Golden Ships were not much heavier then ours of Wood, by reason they were neatly made,
and required not such thickness, neither were they troubled with Pitch, Tar, Pumps, Guns, and the like, which make our
Woodden-Ships very heavy; for though they were not all of a piece, yet they were so well sodder'd, that there was no
fear of Leaks, Chinks, or Clefts; and as for Guns, there was no use of them, because they had no other enemies but the
Winds: But the Leather Ships were not altogether so sure, although much leighter; besides, they were pitched to keep
out Water.
Having thus prepar'd, and order'd their Navy, they went on in despight of Calm or Storm: And though the Lady at first
fancied her self in a very sad condition, and her mind was much tormented with doubts and fears, not knowing whether
this strange Adventure would tend to her safety or destruction; yet she being withal of a generous spirit, and ready wit,
considering what dangers she had past, and finding those sorts of men civil and diligent attendants to her, took courage,
and endeavoured to learn their language; which after she had obtained so far, that partly by some words and signs she
was able to apprehend their meaning, she was so far from being afraid of them, that she thought her self not onely safe,
but very happy in their company: By which we may see, that Novelty discomposes the mind, but acquaintance settles it
in peace and tranquillity. At last, having passed by several rich Islands and Kingdoms, they went towards Paradise,
which was the seat of the Emperor; and coming in sight of it, rejoiced very much; the Lady at first could perceive
nothing but high Rocks, which seemed to touch the Skies; and although they appear'd not of an equal heigth, yet they
seemed to be all one piece, without partitions: but at last drawing nearer, she perceived a clift, which was a part of
those Rocks, out of which she spied coming forth a great number of Boats, which afar off shewed like a company of
Ants, marching one after another; the Boats appeared like the holes or partitions in a Honey-comb, and when joined
together, stood as close; the men were of several Complexions, but none like any of our World; and when both the
Boats and Ships met, they saluted and spake to each other very courteously; for there was but one language in all that
World: nor no more but one Emperor, to whom they all submitted with the greatest duty and obedience, which made
them live in a continued Peace and Happiness; not acquainted with Foreign Wars or Home-bred Insurrections. The
Lady now being arrived at this place, was carried out of her Ship into one of those Boats, and conveighed through the
same passage (for there was no other) into that part of the World where the Emperor did reside; which part was very
pleasant, and of a mild temper: Within it self it was divided by a great number of vast and large Rivers, all ebbing and
flowing, into several Islands of unequal distance from each other, which in most parts were as pleasant, healthful, rich,
and fruitful, as Nature could make them; and, as I mentioned before, secure from all Foreign Invasions, by reason there
was but one way to enter, and that like a Labyrinth, so winding and turning among the Rocks, that no other Vessels but
small Boats, could pass, carrying not above three passengers at a time: On each side all along the narrow and winding
River, there were several Cities, some of Marble, some of Alabaster, some of Agat, some of Amber, some of Coral,
and some of other precious materials not known in our world; all which after the Lady had passed, she came to the
Imperial City, named Paradise, which appeared in form like several Islands; for, Rivers did run betwixt every street,
which together with the Bridges, whereof there was a great number, were all paved. The City it self was built of Gold;
and their Architectures were noble, stately, and magnificent, not like our Modern, but like those in the Romans time; for,
our Modern Buildings are like those Houses which Children use to make of Cards, one story above another, fitter for
Birds, then Men; but theirs were more Large, and Broad, then high; the highest of them did not exceed two stories,
besides those rooms that were under-ground, as Cellars, and other Offices. The Emperor's Palace stood upon an
indifferent ascent from the Imperial City; at the top of which ascent was a broad Arch, supported by several Pillars,
which went round the Palace, and contained four of our English miles in compass: within the Arch stood the Emperor's
Guard, which consisted of several sorts of Men; at every half mile, was a Gate to enter, and every Gate was of a
different fashion; the first, which allowed a passage from the Imperial City into the Palace, had on either hand a
Cloyster, the outward part whereof stood upon Arches sustained by Pillars, but the inner part was close: Being entred
through the Gate, the Palace it self appear'd in its middle like the Isle of a Church, a mile and a half long, and half a mile
broad; the roof of it was all Arched, and rested upon Pillars, so artificially placed that a stranger would lose himself
therein without a Guide; at the extream sides, that is, between the outward and inward part of the Cloyster, were
Lodgings for Attendants; and in the midst of the Palace, the Emperor's own Rooms; whose Lights were placed at the
top of every one, because of the heat of the Sun: the Emperor's appartment for State was no more inclosed then the
rest; onely an Imperial Throne was in every appartment, of which the several adornments could not be perceived until
one entered, because the Pillars were so just opposite to one another, that all the adornments could not be seen at one.
The first part of the Palace was, as the Imperial City, all of Gold; and when it came to the Emperors appartment, it was
so rich with Diamonds, Pearls, Rubies, and the like precious Stones, that it surpasses my skill to enumerate them all.
Amongst the rest, the Imperial Room of State appear'd most magnificent; it was paved with green Diamonds (for there
are in that World Diamonds of all Colours) so artificially, as it seemed but of one piece; the Pillars were set with
Diamonds so close, and in such a manner, that they appear'd most Glorious to the sight; between every Pillar was a
Bow or Arch of a certain sort of Diamonds, the like whereof our World does not afford; which being placed in every
one of the Arches in several rows, seemed just like so many Rainbows of several different colours. The roof of the
Arches was of blew Diamonds, and in the midst thereof was a Carbuncle, which represented the Sun; and the Rising
and Setting-Sun at the East and West-side of the Room were made of Rubies. Out of this Room there was a passage
into the Emperor's Bed-Chamber, the Walls whereof were of Jet, and the Floor of black Marble; the Roof was of
Mother of Pearl, where the Moon and Blazing-Stars were represented by white Diamonds, and his Bed was made of
Diamonds and Carbuncles.
No sooner was the Lady brought before the Emperor, but he conceived her to be some Goddess, and offered to
worship her; which she refused, telling him, (for by that time she had pretty well learned their Language) that although
she came out of another world, yet was she but a mortal. At which the Emperor rejoycing, made her his Wife, and gave
her an absolute power to rule and govern all that World as she pleased. But her subjects, who could hardly be
perswaded to believe her mortal, tender'd her all the Veneration and Worship due to a Deity.
Her Accoustrement after she was made Empress, was as followeth: On her head she wore a Cap of Pearl, and a Half-
moon of Diamonds just before it; on the top of her Crown came spreading over a broad Carbuncle, cut in the form of
the Sun; her Coat was of Pearl, mixt with blew Diamonds, and frindged with red ones; her Buskins and Sandals were of
green Diamonds; In her left hand she held a Buckler, to signifie the Defence of her Dominions; which Buckler was made
of that sort of Diamond as has several different Colours; and being cut and made in the form of an Arch, shewed like a
Rain-bow; In her right hand she carried a Spear made of white Diamond, cut like the tail of a Blazing Star, which
signified that she was ready to assault those that proved her Enemies.
None was allowed to use or wear Gold but those of the Imperial Race, which were the onely Nobles of the State; nor
durst any one wear Jewels but the Emperor, the Empress and their Eldest Son; notwithstanding that they had an infinite
quantity both of Gold and precious Stones in that World; for they had larger extents of Gold, then our Arabian Sands;
their precious Stones were Rocks, and their Diamonds of several Colours; they used no Coyn, but all their Traffick was
by exchange of several Commodities.
Their Priests and Governors were Princes of the Imperial Blood, and made Eunuches for that purpose; and as for the
ordinary sort of men in that part of the World where the Emperor resided, they were of several Complexions; not white,
black, tawny, olive or ash-coloured; but some appear'd of an Azure, some of a deep Purple, some of a Grass-green,
some of a Scarlet, some of an Orange-colour, &c. Which Colours and Complexions, whether they were made by the
bare reflection of light, without the assistance of small particles; or by the help of well-ranged and order'd Atoms; or by
a continual agitation of little Globules; or by some pressing and re-acting motion, I am not able to determine. The rest of
the Inhabitants of that World, were men of several different sorts, shapes, figures, dispositions, and humors, as I have
already made mention, heretofore; some were Bear-men, some Worm-men, some Fish- or Mear-men, otherwise
called Syrens; some Bird-men, some Fly-men, some Ant-men, some Geese-men, some Spider-men, some Lice-men,
some Fox-men, some Ape-men, some Jack daw-men, some Magpie-men, some Parrot-men, some Satyrs, some
Gyants, and many more, which I cannot all remember; and of these several sorts of men, each followed such a
profession as was most proper for the nature of their Species, which the Empress encouraged them in, especially those
that had applied themselves to the study of several Arts and Sciences; for they were as ingenious and witty in the
invention of profitable and useful Arts, as we are in our world, nay, more; and to that end she erected Schools, and
founded several Societies. The Bear-men were to be her Experimental Philosophers, the Bird-men her Astronomers,
the Fly- Worm- and Fish-men her Natural Philosophers, the Ape-men her Chymists, the Satyrs her Galenick
Physicians, the Fox-men her Politicians, the Spider- and Lice-men her Mathematicians, the Jackdaw- Magpie- and
Parrot-men her Orators and Logicians, the Gyants her Architects, &c. But before all things, she having got a Soveraign
power from the Emperor over all the World, desired to be informed both of the manner of their Religion and
Government; and to that end she called the Priests and States men, to give her an account of either. Of the States men
she enquired, first, Why they had so few Laws? To which they answered, That many Laws made many Divisions,
which most commonly did breed Factions, and at last brake out into open Wars. Next, she asked, Why they preferred
the Monarchical form of Government before any other? They answered, That as it was natural for one Body to have
but one Head, so it was also natural for a Politick body to have but one Governor; and that a Common-wealth, which
had many Governors was like a Monster with many Heads. Besides, said they, a Monarchy is a divine form of
Government, and agrees most with our Religion: For as there is but one God, whom we all unanimously worship and
adore with one Faith; so we are resolved to have but one Emperor, to whom we all submit with one obedience.
Then the Empress seeing that the several sorts of her Subjects had each their Churches apart, asked the Priests,
whether they were of several Religions? They answered her Majesty, That there was no more but one Religion in all
that World, nor no diversity of opinions in that same Religion for though there were several sorts of men, yet had they all
but one opinion concerning the Worship and Adoration of God. The Empress asked them, Whether they were Jews,
Turks, or Christians? We do not know, said they, what Religions those are; but we do all unanimously acknowledg,
worship and adore the Onely, Omnipotent, and Eternal God, with all reverence, submission, and duty. Again, the
Empress enquired, Whether they had several Forms of Worship? They answered, No: For our Devotion and Worship
consists onely in Prayers, which we frame according to our several Necessities, in Petitions, Humiliations, Thanksgiving,
&c. Truly, replied the Empress, I thought you had been either Jews, or Turks, because I never perceived any Women
in your Congregations: But what is the reason, you bar them from your religious Assemblies? It is not fit, said they, that
Men and Women should be promiscuously together in time of Religious Worship; for their company hinders Devotion,
and makes many, instead of praying to God, direct their Devotion to their Mistresses. But, asked the Empress, Have
they no Congregation of their own, to perform the duties of Divine Worship, as well as Men? No, answered they: but
they stay at home, and say their Prayers by themselves in their Closets. Then the Empress desir'd to know the reason
why the Priests and Governors of their World were made Eunuchs? They answer'd, To keep them from Marriage: For
Women and Children most commonly make disturbance both in Church and State. But, said she, Women and Children
have no Employment in Church or State. 'Tis true, answer'd they; but, although they are not admitted to publick
Employments, yet are they so prevalent with their Husbands and Parents, that many times by their importunate
perswasions, they cause as much, nay, more mischief secretly, then if they had the management of publick Affairs.
The Empress having received an information of what concerned both Church and State, passed some time in viewing
the Imperial Palace, where she admired much the skil and ingenuity of the Architects, and enquired of them, first, Why
they built their Houses no higher then two stories from the Ground? They answered her Majesty, That the lower their
Buildings were, the less were they subject either to the heat of the Sun, or Wind, Tempest, Decay, &c. Then she
desired to know the reason, why they made them so thick? They answered, That, the thicker the Walls were, the
warmer they were in Winter, the cooler in Summer; for their thickness kept out both the Cold and Heat. Lastly, she
asked, Why they Arched their Roofs, and made so many Pillars? They replied, That Arches and Pillars, did not onely
grace a Building very much, and caused it to appear Magnificent, but made it also firm and lasting.
The Empress was very well satisfied with their answers; and after some time, when she thought that her new founded
societies of the Vertuoso's had made a good progress in the several Employments she had put them upon, she caused a
Convocation first of the Bird-men, and commanded them to give her a true relation of the two Cœlestial Bodies, viz. the
Sun and Moon, which they did with all the obedience and faithfulness befitting their duty.
The Sun, as much as they could observe, they related to be a firm or solid Stone, of a vast bigness; of colour yellowish,
and of an extraordinary splendor: But the Moon, they said, was of a whitish colour; and although she looked dim in the
presence of the Sun, yet had she her own light, and was a shining body of her self, as might be perceived by her
vigorous appearance in Moon-shiny-nights; the difference onely betwixt her own and the Sun's light was, that the Sun
did strike his beams in a direct line; but the Moon never respected the Centre of their World in a right line, but her
Centre was always excentrical. The Spots both in the Sun and Moon, as far as they were able to perceive, they
affirmed to be nothing else but flaws and stains of their stony Bodies. Concerning the heat of the Sun, they were not of
one opinion; some would have the Sun hot in it self, alledging an old Tradition, that it should at some time break
asunder, and burn the Heavens, and consume this world into hot Embers, which, said they, could not be done, if the
Sun were not fiery of it self. Others again said, This opinion could not stand with reason; for Fire being a destroyer of all
things, the Sun-Stone after this manner would burn up all the near adjoining Bodies: Besides, said they, Fire cannot
subsist without fuel; and the Sun-Stone having nothing to feed on, would in a short time consume it self; wherefore they
thought it more probable that the Sun was not actually hot, but onely by the reflection of its light; so that its heat was an
effect of its light, both being immaterial. But this opinion again was laught at by others, and rejected as ridiculous, who
thought it impossible that one immaterial should produce another; and believed that both the light and heat of the Sun
proceeded from a swift Circular motion of the Æthereal Globules, which by their striking upon the Optick nerve, caused
light, and their motion produced heat: But neither would this opinion hold; for, said some, then it would follow, that the
sight of Animals is the cause of light; and that, were there no eyes, there would be no light; which was against all sense
and reason. Thus they argued concerning the heat and light of the Sun; but, which is remarkable, none did say, that the
Sun was a Globous fluid body, and had a swift Circular motion; but all agreed, It was fixt and firm like a Center, and
therefore they generally called it the Sun-Stone.
Then the Empress asked them the reason, Why the Sun and Moon did often appear in different postures or shapes, as
sometimes magnified, sometimes diminished; sometimes elevated, otherwhiles depressed; now thrown to the right, and
then to the left? To which some of the Bird-men answered, That it proceeded from the various degrees of heat and
cold, which are found in the Air, from whence did follow a differing density and rarity; and likewise from the vapours
that are interposed, whereof those that ascend are higher and less dense then the ambient air, but those which descend
are heavier and more dense. But others did with more probability affirm, that it was nothing else but the various patterns
of the Air; for like as Painters do not copy out one and the same original just alike at all times; so, said they, do several
parts of the Air make different patterns of the luminous Bodies of the Sun and Moon: which patterns, as several copies,
the sensitive motions do figure out in the substance of our eyes.
This answer the Empress liked much better then the former, and enquired further, What opinion they had of those
Creatures that are called the motes of the Sun? To which they answered, That they were nothing else but streams of
very small, rare and transparent particles, through which the Sun was represented as through a glass: for if they were not
transparent, said they, they would eclipse the light of the Sun; and if not rare and of an airy substance, they would hinder
Flies from flying in the Air, at least retard their flying motion: Nevertheless, although they were thinner then the thinnest
vapour, yet were they not so thin as the body of air, or else they would not be perceptible by animal sight. Then the
Empress asked, Whether they were living Creatures? They answered, Yes: Because they did encrease and decrease,
and were nourished by the presence, and starved by the absence of the Sun.
Having thus finished their discourse of the Sun and Moon, the Empress desired to know what Stars there were besides?
But they answer'd, that they could perceive in that World none other but Blazing Stars, and from thence it had the name
that it was called the Blazing-World; and these Blazing-Stars, said they, were such solid, firm and shining bodies as the
Sun and Moon, not of a Globular, but of several sorts of figures: some had tails; and some, other kinds of shapes.
After this, The Empress asked them, What kind of substance or creature the Air was? The Bird-men answered, That
they could have no other perception of the Air, but by their own Respiration: For, said they, some bodies are onely
subject to touch, others onely to sight, and others onely to smell; but some are subject to none of our exterior Senses:
For Nature is so full of variety, that our weak Senses cannot perceive all the various sorts of her Creatures; neither is
there any one object perceptible by all our Senses, no more then several objects are by one sense. I believe you,
replied the Empress; but if you can give no account of the Air, said she, you will hardly be able to inform me how Wind
is made; for they say, that Wind is nothing but motion of the Air. The Bird-men answer'd, That they observed Wind to
be more dense then Air, and therefore subject to the sense of Touch; but what properly Wind was, and the manner
how it was made, they could not exactly tell; some said, it was caused by the Clouds falling on each other; and others,
that it was produced of a hot and dry exhalation: which ascending, was driven down again by the coldness of the Air
that is in the middle Region, and by reason of its leightness, could not go directly to the bottom, but was carried by the
Air up and down: Some would have it a flowing Water of the Air; and others again, a flowing Air moved by the blaz of
the Stars.
But the Empress, seeing they could not agree concerning the cause of Wind, asked, Whether they could tell how Snow
was made? To which they answered That according to their observation, Snow was made by a commixture of Water,
and some certain extract of the Element of Fire that is under the Moon; a small portion of which extract, being mixed
with Water, and beaten by Air or Wind, made a white Froth called Snow; which being after some while dissolved by
the heat of the same spirit, turned to Water again. This observation amazed the Empress very much; for she had hitherto
believed, That Snow was made by cold motions, and not by such an agitation or beating of a fiery extract upon water:
Nor could she be perswaded to believe it until the Fish- or Mear-men had delivered their observation upon the making
of Ice, which, they said, was not produced, as some hitherto conceived, by the motion of the Air, raking the Superficies
of the Earth, but by some strong saline vapour arising out of the Seas, which condensed Water into Ice; and the more
quantity there was of that vapour, the greater were the Mountains of Precipices of Ice; but the reason that it did not so
much freeze in the Torrid Zone, or under the Ecliptick, as near or under the Poles, was, that this vapour in those places
being drawn up by the Sun-beams into the middle Region of the Air, was onely condensed into Water, and fell down in
showres of Rain; when as, under the Poles, the heat of the Sun being not so vehement, the same vapour had no force or
power to rise so high, and therefore caused so much Ice, by ascending and acting onely upon the surface of water.
This Relation confirmed partly the observation of the Bird-men concerning the cause of Snow; but since they had made
mention that that same extract, which by its commixture with Water made Snow, proceeded from the Element of Fire,
that is under the Moon: The Emperess asked them, of what nature that Elementary Fire was; whether it was like
ordinary Fire here upon Earth, or such a Fire as is within the bowels of the Earth, and as the famous Mountains
Vesuvius and Ætna do burn withal; or whether it was such a sort of fire, as is found in flints, &c. They answered, That
the Elementary Fire, which is underneath the Sun, was not so solid as any of those mentioned fires; because it had no
solid fuel to feed on; but yet it was much like the flame of ordinary fire, onely somewhat more thin and fluid; for Flame,
said they, is nothing else but the airy part of a fired Body.
Lastly, the Empress asked the Bird-men of the nature of Thunder and Lightning? and whether it was not caused by
roves of Ice falling upon each other? To which they answered, That it was not made that way, but by an encounter of
cold and heat; so that an exhalation being kindled in the Clouds, did dash forth Lightning, and that there were so many
rentings of Clouds as there were Sounds and Cracking noises: But this opinion was contradicted by others, who
affirmed that Thunder was a sudden and monstrous Blaz, stirred up in the Air, and did not always require a Cloud; but
the Empress not knowing what they meant by Blaz (for even they themselves were not able to explain the sense of this
word) liked the former better; and, to avoid hereafter tedious disputes, and have the truth of the Phænomena's of
Cœlestial Bodies more exactly known, commanded the Bear-men, which were her Experimental Philosophers, to
observe them through such Instruments as are called Telescopes, which they did according to her Majesties Command;
but these Telescopes caused more differences and divisions amongst them, then ever they had before; for some said,
they perceived that the Sun stood still, and the Earth did move about it; others were of opinion, that they both did move;
and others said again, that the Earth stood still, and Sun did move; some counted more Stars then others; some
discovered new Stars never seen before; some fell into a great dispute with others concerning the bigness of the Stars;
some said, The Moon was another World like their Terrestrial Globe, and the spots therein were Hills and Vallies; but
others would have the spots to be the Terrestrial parts, and the smooth and glossie parts, the Sea: At last, the Empress
commanded them to go with their Telescopes to the very end of the Pole that was joined to the World she came from,
and try whether they could perceive any Stars in it: which they did; and, being returned to her Majesty, reported that
they had seen three Blazing-Stars appear there, one after another in a short time, whereof two were bright, and one
dim; but they could not agree neither in this observation: for some said, It was but one Star which appeared at three
several times, in several places; and others would have them to be three several Stars; for they thought it impossible,
that those three several appearances should have been but one Star, because every Star did rise at a certain time, and
appear'd in a certain place, and did disappear in the same place: Next, It is altogether improbable, said they, That one
Star should fly from place to place, especially at such a vast distance, without a visible motion; in so short a time, and
appear in such different places, whereof two were quite opposite, and the third side-ways: Lastly, If it had been but one
Star, said they, it would always have kept the same splendor, which it did not; for, as above mentioned, two were
bright, and one was dim. After they had thus argued, the Empress began to grow angry at their Telescopes, that they
could give no better Intelligence; for, said she, now I do plainly perceive, that your Glasses are false Informers, and
instead of discovering the Truth, delude your Senses; Wherefore I Command you to break them, and let the Bird-men
trust onely to their natural eyes, and examine Cœlestial Objects by the motions of their own Sense and Reason. The
Bear-men replied, That it was not the fault of their Glasses, which caused such differences in their Opinions, but the
sensitive motions in their Optick organs did not move alike, nor were their rational judgments always regular: To which
the Empress answered, That if their Glasses were true Informers, they would rectifie their irregular Sense and Reason;
But, said she, Nature has made your Sense and Reason more regular then Art has your Glasses; for they are meer
deluders, and will never lead you to the knowledg of Truth; Wherefore I command you again to break them; for you
may observe the progressive motions of Cœlestial Bodies with your natural eyes better then through Artificial Glasses.
The Bear-men being exceedingly troubled at her Majesties displeasure concerning their Telescopes, kneel'd down, and
in the humblest manner petitioned, that they might not be broken; for, said they, we take more delight in Artificial
delusions, then in Natural truths. Besides, we shall want Imployments for our Senses, and Subjects for Arguments; for,
were there nothing but truth, and no falshood, there would be no occasion to dispute, and by this means we should
want the aim and pleasure of our endeavors in confuting and contradicting each other; neither would one man be
thought wiser then another, but all would either be alike knowing and wise, or all would be fools; wherefore we most
humbly beseech your Imperial Majesty to spare our Glasses, which are our onely delight, and as dear to us as our lives.
The Empress at last consented to their request, but upon condition, that their disputes and quarrels should remain within
their Schools, and cause no factions or disturbances in State, or Government. The Bear-men, full of joy, returned their
most humble thanks to the Empress; and to make her amends for the displeasure which their Telescopes had
occasioned, told her Majesty, that they had several other artificial Optick-Glasses, which they were sure would give her
Majesty a great deal more satisfaction. Amongst the rest, they brought forth several Microscopes, by the means of
which they could enlarge the shapes of little bodies, and make a Lowse appear as big as an Elephant, and a Mite as big
as a Whale. First of all they shewed the Empress a gray Drone-flye, wherein they observed that the greatest part of her
face, nay, of her head, consisted of two large bunches all cover'd over with a multitude of small Pearls or Hemispheres
in a Trigonal order: Which Pearls were of two degrees, smaller and bigger; the smaller degree was lowermost, and
looked towards the ground; the other was upward, and looked sideward, forward and backward: They were all so
smooth and polished, that they were able to represent the image of any object, the number of them was in all 14000.
After the view of this strange and miraculous Creature, and their several observations upon it, the Empress asked them,
What they judged those little Hemispheres might be? They answered, That each of them was a perfect Eye, by reason
they perceived that each was covered with a Transparent Cornea, containing a liquor within them, which resembled the
watery or glassie humor of the Eye. To which the Emperess replied, That they might be glassie Pearls, and yet not Eyes;
and that perhaps their Microscopes did not truly inform them. But they smilingly answered her Majesty, That she did
not know the vertue of those Microscopes: for they never delude, but rectifie and inform the Senses; nay, the World,
said they, would be but blind without them, as it has been in former ages before those Microscopes were invented.
After this, they took a Charcoal, and viewing it with one of their best Microscopes, discovered in it an infinite multitude
of pores, some bigger, some less; so close and thick, that they left but very little space betwixt them to be filled with a
solid body; and to give her Imperial Majesty a better assurance thereof, they counted in a line of them an inch long, no
less then 2700 pores; from which Observation they drew this following Conclusion, to wit, That this multitude of pores
was the cause of the blackness of the Coal; for, said they, a body that has so many pores, from each of which no light is
reflected, must necessarily look black, since black is nothing else but a privation of light, or a want of reflection. But the
Empress replied, That if all Colours were made by reflection of light, and that Black was as much a colour as any other
colour; then certainly they contradicted themselves in saying that black was made by want of reflection. However, not
to interrupt your Microscopical Inspections, said she, let us see how Vegetables appear through your Glasses;
whereupon they took a Nettle, and by the vertue of the Microscope, discovered that underneath the points of the Nettle
there were certain little bags or bladders, containing a poysonous liquor, and when the points had made way into the
interior parts of the skin, they like Syringe-pipes served to conveigh that same liquor into them. To which Observation
the Empress replied, That if there were such poyson in Nettles, then certainly in eating of them, they would hurt us
inwardly, as much as they do outwardly? But they answered, That it belonged to Physicians more then to Experimental
Philosophers, to give Reasons hereof; for they only made Microscopical inspections, and related the Figures of the
Natural parts of Creatures according to the representation of their glasses.
Lastly, They shewed the Empress a Flea, and a Lowse; which Creatures through the Microscope appear'd so terrible
to her sight, that they had almost put her into a swoon; the description of all their parts would be very tedious to relate,
and therefore I'le forbear it at this present. The Empress, after the view of those strangely-shaped Creatures, pitied
much those that are molested with them, especially poor Beggars, which although they have nothing to live on
themselves, are yet necessitated to maintain and feed of their own flesh and blood, a company of such terrible Creatures
called Lice; who, instead of thanks, do reward them with pains, and torment them for giving them nourishment and
food. But after the Empress had seen the shapes of these monstrous Creatures, she desir'd to know, Whether their
Microscopes could hinder their biting, or at least shew some means how to avoid them? To which they answered, That
such Arts were mechanical and below the noble study of Microscopical observations. Then the Empress asked them,
Whether they had not such sorts of Glasses that could enlarge and magnifie the shapes of great Bodies as well as they
had done of little ones? Whereupon they took one of their best and largest Microscopes, and endeavoured to view a
Whale thorow it; but alas! the shape of the Whale was so big, that its Circumference went beyond the magnifying
quality of the Glass; whether the error proceeded from the Glass, or from a wrong position of the Whale against the
reflection of light, I cannot certainly tell. The Empress seeing the insufficiency of those Magnifying-Glasses, that they
were not able to enlarge all sorts of Objects, asked the Bear-men, whether they could not make Glasses of a contrary
nature to those they had shewed her, to wit, such as instead of enlarging or magnifying the shape or figure of an Object,
could contract it beneath its natural proportion: Which, in obedience to her Majesties Commands, they did; and viewing
through one of the best of them, a huge and mighty Whale appear'd no bigger then a Sprat; nay, through some no bigger
then a Vinegar-Eele; and through their ordinary ones, an Elephant seemed no bigger then a Flea; a Camel no bigger
then a Lowse; and an Ostrich no bigger then a Mite. To relate all their Optick observations through the several sorts of
their Glasses, would be a tedious work, and tire even the most pati...
